Add it up   Violent Femmes

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Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996 22:16:49 -0500



        What femmes fan doesn't love this song? This file is my best attempt
at transcribing the guitar parts to this that is arguably the greatest of
femmes songs. However, I am not the greatest of guitar players and so may
have made some sort of error in transcribing. Furthermore, I'm not posting
all of the guitar parts, only the most significant/audible ones. So,if you
are the greatest of guitar players, or if you just have something that I
neglected to add, don't hesitate to post. Questions or comments are welcome
at meunier.1@osu.edu  Have fun with it.

                     "Add It Up"(Gordon Gano)

Performed by the Violent Femmes on "violent femmes"(1982) 
Guitar parts transcribed here performed on the album by Gordon Gano
Transcribed by Bryson Meunier

   Day...after day
   I will walk...and I will play
   but the day...after today
   I will stop...and I will start

The rhythm part of this song consists of basically two chords, B5 and A. It
would be difficult and ultimately unnecessary for me to tab the whole thing
because the rhythm is not that difficult to figure out. Just listen to the
music and play along. The tabbed chords look like this though for those of
you that don't know:
 
   E---------(2)-----|
   B--(4)-----2------|
   G---4------2------|
   D---4------2------|
   A---2-------------|
   E-----------------|

Play them along with the lyrics like this:

   
   B5
   Why can't I get just one kiss(2x)
   A
   believe me there'd be some things that I wouldn't miss
        B5 (stop abruptly)
   but I look at your pants and I need a kiss

The rhythm is the same for the next verse which goes like this:

   Why can't I get just one screw(2x)
   believe me I'd know what to do 
   but something won't let me make love to you

At this point there's a little interlude that's dominated melodically by the
bass. The guitar in the background plays something similar to the verse
figure. Feel free to post it if you want to take the time to figure it out.

   Why can't I get just one fuck(2x)
   I guess it's got something to do with luck
   but I waited my whole life for just one

 The chord progression for the chorus is similar to the verse:

   B5                       A                  B5
   Day...after day...I get angry...and I will say...that the day...is in my 
                          A               B5
   sight...when I take a bow...and say goodnight

The next verse is the same chord progression, only palm muted

   Mo my momma momma mo my mum 
   Have you kept your eye your eye on your son
   I know you've had problems your not the only one 
   but when your sugar left he left you on the run

   Mo my momma momma mo my mum
   take a look now what your boy has done
   he's walking around like he's number one
   he went downtown and he got him a gun
 
   Don't shoot shoot shoot that thing at me
   You know you got my sympathy 
   but don't shoot shoot shoot that thing at me

This is the guitar solo that they play on the first album. The version on
"Add It Up(1981-1993)" is different, I know, in that this and the outro solo
are a lot longer. If someone wants to figure out that version I'd love to
see it. However, at present this is all that's available. You'll have to
figure out the timing but I think you'll find that it's really not that tough.

   guitar solo(light distortion)-
                          (gradual release)
   E-----------------------------------------------------|
   B-----------------------------------------------------|
   G---9br--9br--9br---9--9b--9-9-9-9-9-r-7---9-9-9-9--7-|
   D-----------------------------------------------------|
   A-----------------------------------------------------|
   E-----------------------------------------------------|

                             (1/2 step)

   E-----------------------------------------------------|
   B---------7-------------------------------------------|
   G-7--9-9-----7--9--7--------7b--5-------5-----5---7-7-|
   D---------------------9------------7-------7----------|
   A-----------------------------------------------------|
   E-----------------------------------------------------|
                     (1/2 step)
   E-----------------------------------------------------|
   B-----------------------------------------7-----------|
   G---5-----5-----5----9b--7-7--9-9--7--9------9--7-----|
   D------7-----7-------------------------------------9--|
   A-----------------------------------------------------|
   E-----------------------------------------------------|

   E----------7--|
   B----------7--|
   G----------7--|
   D-------------|
   A-------------|
   E-------------|

   In your broken down kitchen at the top of the stairs
   Can I mix in with your affairs
   Share a smoke 
   Make a joke 
   Grasp and reach for a leg of hope

   Words to memorize
   Words hypnotize
   Words make my mouth exercise   
   Words all fail the magic prize
   Nothing I can say when I'm in your thighs

   Mo my momma momma mo my mother
   I would love to love you lover
   The city's restless it's ready to pounce
   it go here in your bedroom ounce for ounce

   Said I'm giving you a decision to make
   Things to lose, things to take
   Just as she was about ready to cut it up
   She said wait a minute honey I'm gonna Add it up

   I'm gonna Add it up 
   Add it up
   See what you got you gotta
   Add it up
   Day after day
   I get angry and I will say
   that the day is in my sight
   when I take a bow and say goodnight
   goodnight

The guitar part on the outro doesn't sound that difficult or significant.
For the most part, it just sounds like the guitar is freely moving up and
down the neck around the seventh fret on the E,B and G strings. This part is
bass dominated anyway so it really shouldn't matter what you play.
Regardless of what you end up playing, end the song on B5.  
     That's it. Have a great time playing it and e-mail me if you have any
questions or comments.

symbols used in transcription:
b = bend
r = release